Create WV accelerates the growth of West Virginia’s innovation economy
Best known as Create WV, our mission is to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development across the state. Creative Communities Network, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose team members believes that by fostering a culture of creativity and supporting the growth of small businesses and startups, we can help build a more vibrant and diverse economy that benefits everyone in West Virginia. Through our programs and initiatives, we aim to connect entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to succeed, and to promote West Virginia as a great place to live, work, and do business.
Today, our focus is on supporting the growth of the maker and entrepreneur community through our Create WV Discord server, which serves as a daily hub for makers across the state to connect, collaborate, and share their work. We are also working closely with the McGee Foundation’s Westside Together initiative to lead a robust communications campaign throughout the West Side of Charleston to connect neighbors to events and resources they need.
In years past, we have undertaken a range of projects to promote entrepreneurship and technology in West Virginia. Recent past projects include Goal Minors, a youth entrepreneurship program; Workin’ Title Workshops, business workshops for all-ages; and the Half-Baked Pitch Off, a conference showcasing prototypes, projects, and a competition of half-baked pitches with a cash prize.
Historically, we are remembered for the Create West Virginia Conferences, which have been held at various locations annually across the state from 2007-2017. These conferences were cherished for bringing makers and creatives from all corners of the state together to share their work, collaborate, and learn from one another, showing everyone what is possible in the mountain state. Create WV has a rich history of programming to inspire and empower from startup workshops to summer maker camps for students.
The Founding of Creative Communities Network
Creative Communities Network, Inc. was founded to empower communities to engage in activities designed to promote economic growth. Best known as Create West Virginia, our mission is to accelerate the growth of West Virginia’s innovation economy, and our vision is for West Virginia and its people to be creative, confident, diverse, technologically advanced, collaborative, innovative, prosperous, and well connected.
Create WV was founded in 2007, spinning off from A Vision Shared after the organization helped curate a white paper that described the challenges West Virginians faced and proposed a new approach to revitalizing the state. From that research, five pillars were identified to attract and cultivate innovation: entrepreneurship, technology, diversity, quality of place, and education. These pillars have been the cornerstone of Create WV and have guided our work ever since. We believe that innovation and creativity are key drivers of economic growth, and we are passionate about supporting makers and creators of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Technology
Entrepreneurship
Education
Diversity
Quality of Place
At Create WV, we believe that everyone should be able to thrive and follow their dreams, regardless of their background or where they live. We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and experimentation in West Virginia and beyond. If you’re passionate about innovation, creativity, and economic growth, we invite you to join us in our mission to create a better future for all.